Today we’re driving to the town of Midelt. It’s one of several destinations on our Morocco itinerary that I’ve never heard of it and my expectations are in check. Which turns out to be unnecessary because this is what’s in store for us:

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Back to our drive.

We stop for our morning nos nos break in a town that’s surprisingly alpine — it feels downright Swiss, both in architecture and temperature.

Nos nos and wifi… I can’t think of a better way to kick off our journey to Midelt.

We later stop to visit these monkeys on the side of the road. Of course they’re adorable, and we’re charmed by how affectionate they are with each other.

Next we visit at a grocery store to pick up supplies for a picnic. Our guide Mohamed gives each of us lunch money and we decide to pool it together for an elaborate spread. I wish I’d taken a photo in the grocery store as everyone ran around to grab different ingredients like it was a game of Supermarket Sweep.

An hour or so later we stop at this idyllic spot by a stream and set up our picnic bounty. All of our other lunches are more formal — usually in restaurants — so this is a nice change of scenery.

Later that afternoon we arrive in Midelt and check into the lovely Kasbah Asmaa.

Whenever our group REALLY loves a hotel / accommodation, we run around to check out each other’s rooms, often squealing about the details or size or bathroom. We do that here. This is the room I share with my tour mate Tally:

Sisters Raamish and Shireen pose in front of their posh room:

Nicely played, Kasbah Asmaa.

Most of our meals in Morocco are shared — if not the entree (served family style), then at least the apps and dessert. It’s a nice way to build community among those sharing the meal and the aspect I most appreciate about food culture here (customary olives at the table is a close second).

A few quick shots of our dinner at the hotel:

Okay, let’s get to the best part of this post about Midelt. In the afternoon we go on a hike, and it’s spectacular.

Here we are at the beginning. We have no idea what’s in store.

Within about 15 minutes we come to this first viewpoint and the cameras come out in full force.

Are you kidding me?! These views give the Grand Canyon a run for its money. Okay, maybe that’s an overstatement, but it’s breathtaking.

That’s our group lined up in the distance below.

Too far away? Here’s a closer shot.

… and a closer shot. These are some high-quality people.

The views continue…

Karen shows us her handy new water bottle holder: the waistband of hippie pants, which is the official fashion trend of our trip.

Looking down over Midelt:

Tally has some impressive moves. She can actually do a split in mid-air but that photo came out blurry so I’ll share this one instead.

Time for a groupie…

We head back down around sunset.

It’s rude to take photos of someone without asking permission. But our group has figured out how to snap away without arousing suspicion — we pose in front of locals we find photographically interesting and then pretend to shoot us, while really capturing the people in the background.

Here’s an example. It looks like we’re taking this photo:

But really we’re taking this photo:

I know, it’s sneaky. I promise we sometimes ask for permission instead of using this tactic.

We return to Kasbah Asmaa via a different way that winds over the town and then down through orchards.

Now we’re approaching the main part of town, home for most of the locals.

Moral of the story: don’t underestimate Midelt, or any destination you don’t recognize on an itinerary. There may be extraordinary things in store.

Thanks to Nomadic Tours for discounting my tour in exchange for photography and blogging. Opinions are my own.